A Week from Today!!

The countdown can begin. A week from today, we will be on our way to Gulf Shores, AL...where I will be laying by this...

With my family of Cornells...

And Justin might even get a chance to do a little bit of this...

FOR A WHOLE WEEK!! Our annual beach vacation is almost here!! I can't even tell you how excited I am. I hope this next week flies by because I'm ready to go...today. In fact, does anyone want to replace me at my job this next week and I'll just take two weeks off? No takers, huh. See if I buy you any souvenirs.

I am in a sugar coma from Orange Tree. But it is so worth it.

Yoga Experiment

I've never been a huge believer in yoga...but now that I'm preggo, it seems like a good idea and something people always suggest. I haven't been much of a "work out bee" lately so I know I need to do something. I am a little hesitant to go to Chesapeake's classes on Saturdays because 1) who has time on Saturdays and 2) I don't know those people=intimidating! Chellie has offered for me to come over and try out her video she bought, but our schedules never work out. So tonight, I went and rented two pre-natal yoga videos from the library. My thought - eh, I could use a little stretching.

A little stretching?? My word, I was sweating through the WARM UP. Never mind the 1" push up that I had to do in the actual work out or lunges where I could barely get back up from (not due to pregnancy, due to no muscles!!). It's amazing how tight my body is and how off center I have become. It felt really good though!! Justin thought I had been through a hurricane with my hair in all different directions and a glazed look in my eye once I was through. Yes, it's been that long since a work out.

But alas, I have made it through the first work out and even enjoyed the cool down. Now I'm continuing to cool down...all the way to the freezer for some ice cream.

I am exhausted. It's 2:30 in the morning and I would like nothing more than to go to sleep - but I can't. My mind won't quit, even though my body is begging it to. It's been a day. Well, to be fair, I guess Thursday was a day, but I still feel like I'm in it. I would love to get it all out in my "venting" world of blogland, but I can't. Some things I just can't blog about. But I can ask for prayers. There is nothing more I could use right now (except maybe a nap) than prayer. I'm asking prayers for a peace of mind, for my anger to subside, for my frustration to not be vented to the wrong people, and for the anxious feelings to go away.

Thanks friends. I knew I could count on you.

Nursery. Stuff.

We have officially started on the nursery! I am so excited about it - I hope my vision comes out the way I want it to. This is my inspiration...people look at me funny when I tell them what colors I'm choosing, so maybe this will help clear things up :) But since I'm way to cheap to actually pay $200+ for a crib set that I probably won't use all of, I didn't see the point. So, my mom is helping me make the bedding (er, SHE is making the bedding. I'm not much of a sew-er.) and I bought some pretty curtains at IKEA. Which, none of the fabric we bought is anything like this picture - except the colors...it might just be an "eclectic room." But, it's coming together. We purchased a crib and will be picking it up tomorrow night!

I already know one of the great-grandma's doesn't approve of my color choices - but hey. It's our kid, our decision. It's okay though - I'm sure she'll get plenty of pink. :)

I'm alive to tell the story

Several years ago, I was in Taekwondo. In our classes, we learned self-defense and part of that was how to properly use knives/swords. Instead of using real ones (obviously), we used a wooden 1” thick round stick. I kept that stick for a long time. Even after Justin and I got married, I found my stick and put it under our bed to feel safe if he was travelling. Justin kept making fun of me for having a stick - he thought it was silly. I thought I would be able to use that instead of pulling out my non-existent gun in case of emergency. Yes, excellent idea.

A few months ago, I gave that stick to my co-worker who needed extra security. I felt ok with that and plus – we had “Watch Kitty Caramel.” Who needed the stick?

Thursday night, we did.

5:26 am. I wake up from a dead sleep to an unnerving sound. Wap, pop, bang! It happened a few more times and the only explanation that I could logically come up with was we were the starting scene on CSI. I tapped Justin and he bolted up. We heard it one more time. This time, I was thinking clearer and thought – it’s either - a robber jumping on bubble wrap, our ice machine in the refrigerator is going crazy or someone is making popcorn. Well, since our ice maker doesn’t work and I didn’t smell popcorn with my super sonic nose, that just left a robber with bubble wrap that I guess he brought to steal our (in)expensive stuff.

Brave Justin gets up and whispers – “Where’s your stick??” At this point I am so freaked out that I can’t even laugh and say - told you so. (But I thought it.) Since we didn’t have any other form of self defense, he takes his ever trusty Blackberry with the thought of just throwing it at the robber in hopes that it would save our lives. Off he goes down the hall way.

After about 5 minutes (or 30 seconds) of me totally just sitting in bed, not helping OR breathing, the light goes on in the hallway.

I pop out of bed and go down the hall. I hear “CARAMEL!” In the kitchen I see the fur face, purring ever so loudly, enjoying the extra company she now has at 5:30 am.

Well, it happened again last night. When Justin went to again investigate, he saw Caramel as big as a blow up fish, hair in all directions, in the window watching another kitty outside. Ahh yes, Watch Kitty Caramel has arrived.

To avoid future heart attacks, if you drive by our house now, you just might see all of our blinds all the way up. Stupid cat.

Quick Trip

We are back from our whirlwind weekend trip to Kansas City, MO. Needless to say, I'm avoiding long car trips for a while!! (Or for 3 more weeks until we go to the beach, of course). Justin was a trooper and drove the whole way, only practically plowing into the back of a car while watching a cow only one time!

We went for a wedding. Justin's friend Drew was getting married and since he made the trip for ours almost 3 years ago, we thought we would return the favor. It was a nice little wedding, with interesting details along the way. :)

It's amazing how out of my element I felt. A lot of Justin's H.S. friends that were there just lead such different lives than we do. They aren't bad ones - just different. It makes me realize how much of a bubbled life I really do live in. I honestly wouldn't trade my world for theirs, but it had me thinking for a few minutes of maybe I'm living the wrong type life for only being 26 years old.

But then I snapped out of that - quickly. I love my life, my friends, my family, my church, and the stage of life I'm in. Yes, I'll stay exactly where I am.

Bathroom Etiquette

For some reason, while in the bathroom (a public one) really funny things happen. Like people texting and all you can hear is their little fingers typing away on the phone (is that sanitary??), or even a conversation on the cell phone - yet you can hear the "plop" of a deposit in the toilet (can the other person on the phone can hear it if I can?) or the person of someone bursting through the door, panting, like they are about to pee their pants and are in a weird sort of pain. Yes, bathrooms are hilarious.

Awhile back our HR lady sent this out to all of us females because apparently there were some issues with bathroom etiquette. I don't know why I think this is so funny. Maybe it's the word "paratroopers."

Flush Flush Flush until all your friends are gone!

If you are the cause of a clog, and you KNOW if you are, kindly take it upon yourself to first, attempt to correct it; and secondly, report it!

Wash your hands, that's where disease comes from.

It is polite to pull down paper towels for the other person in the restroom with you. This also invites them to wash their hands.

Please inform your friends if they have tucked in their skirts, tissue hanging from their feet, or paratroopers hanging from their noses.

Tidy up. No one wants to navigate around your mess. Yes, there are usually janitors, but a.) it’s rude to make them pick up your stinky tp, and b.) until they come in, your office mates are forced to use a bathroom that is filthy. Throw away your trash, wipe up excess water on the countertops, and no sprinkles on the seats.

Cover up your stink. Bring in an air deodorizer to keep in the bathroom, and spray liberally.

Treat it better than your bathroom at home. Perhaps you don’t mind your own mess, have no issues with going unflushed, fling water around the room like you’re having a personal water fight, but in an office environment, be respectful. Keep the place nice for others, if not yourself.

Lastly, CHECK BEHIND YOU WHEN YOU'RE DONE.

Could YOU use this bathroom?? It's a painted floor.

"What You Get" Mondays

What do you think this is? One might think it's pineapple...but it's not!! It's WATERMELON!! I didn't even know that watermelon came in yellow, but apparently it does. We were at the store debating and the produce guy was there and offered us a taste from the yellow watermelon in the back. It is SO delicious!

This picture is fuzzy, but this gross (dead) worm was on our carpet one day. And not a rainy day. Just a regular summer day. And not just by the back door. In the MIDDLE OF THE ROOM. That is just so...blech.

This is my studly husband sporting his new favorite pair of sunglasses...upside down. Thankfully, they aren't his since they are a bit girly - they are Brooklyn's. He kept asking her if she was wearing them upside down, so he had to try them on.

This is me today! 19 weeks 5 days with big sister Caramel. She is so excited to be in the picture with me. My belly is getting bigger!!! So far I have only gained about 4lbs...but my doctor said that was okay. The baby is growing normally and so she doesn't care if I'm not gaining a ton of weight. Which I'm glad about. I promise, I'm eating a lot! I'm now feeling her move - I first felt her on Friday afternoon laying down for a nap. But who can sleep after feeling your baby move for the first time?

A Tired Moment of Thanks

I'm sitting down. And never getting back up. This has been the craziest 10 or so days of my life. Starting with LibertyFest->Capitol Hill VBS->helping with Mission Sunday->trying to take care of the "chores" around the house->visting Nana->->functioning in 100+ heat->picking out our daughter's nursery stuff...

I'm dead tired. And you know what? I'm not even one of the ones who did most of the work when it comes to those things I mentioned. I can't even imagine how tired they are!

I pooped out about 5:15 tonight. We were on our way back from Nana's debating whether to go late to church. But you know what? I just didn't feel like rushing anymore.

Even though we are missing the Dessert before Dinner...YUM!

I don't really have a point. Except a big thank you to everyone who has helped out with these activities in our lives the past 10 days. I really appreciate everything you do.

Quotable Quotes

This week we have been helping down at VBS. We start out every night with a play and then off to teach the kids about the story we just saw. A few quotable quotes - there are tons more but my tired mind just can't retain all the sillyness.

On Lazarus:
Jennie: "Now when Lazarus was sick, he died."
5 year old kid: "Michael Jackson just died!!!"
Glad to know someone is up on their pop culture. Now, back to the Bible?

Two nights in a row, same kid:
6 year old kid: Pointing to my stomach, "Is there a baby in there?"
Me: "Yes, there is."
6 year old kid: "Can I hold it??"
Um, I don't think so. That might be awkward.

Joshua (Twin#1 or is it Joseph Twin #2??) singing/screaming "BI-BLE, BI-BLE, BI-BLE, BI-BLE..."
Jennie: "Um, that is not going to work."

When talking about sharing and being a friend like Jesus...(not Zaccheus)
"Zaccheus stole the chocolate coins like that dude!"
Ahh, Monday night's story was retained. Now back to tonight's story? :)

And for Phyllis Allen, "Huh? What?" We will miss you in the play tomorrow night!!

Ahh VBS. There is nothing like you.

The News

Our appointment was at 11, but there was a bit of confusion. At first I wasn't sure if we were going to get our ultrasound, but then the nurse said they just checked the wrong box and we will be called in for the ultrasound in about 10 minutes. Lucky for them, they DID have us scheduled. Otherwise, I was about to go crazy on someone!!!

Anyway, we were very excited to see the baby. I was pretty nervous all morning and about passed out a few times due to excitement! We finally got to see a REAL baby inside!! The head, arms, feet, brain, heart, etc - it's all there...but then we got to the most important question..."Do you want to know the gender?" YES!!! Hurry up, will ya?!

Our tech wasn't the most exuberant person. Maybe she just didn't realize that this was the most anticipating news we have been waiting for. Maybe she had some gas and couldn't get too excited for us for fear she would let it out. Or maybe she has just done this...a lot.

Well we got the news :) Say hello to our little, beautiful, perfect baby girl.

You Decide!

Is our baby a BoY or GiRl??
	BoY
	GiRl
pollcode.com free polls

Check back on Tuesday for the result!! (Hopefully the baby will cooperate :))

P.S. Happy 4th of July!!

I Got Nothin'

I just have the urge to blog, but I don't have anything exciting to talk about. Our week has basically been "get to Wednesday night for WoW class." We survived until now - had a great evening of praise and worship - and now it's downhill from here! It's been a rough week (for me atleast) at work. I think the hormones are coming in waves because this week, I totally feel them. I feel sorry for people around me. Well, some.

Caramel is alive and doing well although the other night Justin came home and found her collar neatly laid on the floor like she unbuckled it herself and laid it out flat for us to see. I have NO idea how she did that, but as long as she learned that trick, she is staying inside.

This weekend is the 4th and I think everyone but me has Friday off. I'm trying not to let this get to me, but the more I think about it, the more I want a day off too - with pay! Is that so much to ask? :)

Sometimes I think people wear too much cologne/perfume. If I can smell you before I even SEE you then that, my friends, is too much scent. Calm it down.

Well, sorry for all my random. Maybe next time I'll have something exciting to talk about - like our fantastic 4th of July and working Liberty Fest. You know you are jealous, fellow Edmondites. You wish you could be running the Jitterbug Swing Ride from 4:45 to 7:15. Oh yea.